Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

Jonathan Edwards and his 70 resolutions for his life inspired me to write up a few of my own. Of course, he wrote them when he was 19 years old! Anyways, here are my resolutions that define who I want to be and how I want my life to be lived. They aren’t really just for my 40 th birthday, but it did seem like a good time to put these things down on paper and organize my personal goals and visions for my life. I resolve to: Live life to the fullest, with wonder and anticipation for God’s work Make every moment count , not allowing TV or internet to steal my valuable time Take time daily for meditation and solitude Spend time daily in prayer and worship Read Scripture every day Do the things that care for my hear t and restore my soul with creativity and fun Continue to grow and learn by reading challenging books Make fellowship and connectedness a priority weekly Love my husband deeply and unreservedly with time, actions...

When I was in college, I had very little spending money to go around, so I learned early on to be frugal. I remember looking through the cereal boxes for the cheapest one and landing on Kashi (back then it was just one type of cereal, not all the yummy great stuff they have today). This saved my morning meal and then I had generic shampoos and soaps and definitely nothing fancy or special (and by that I mean, popcorn or new mascara). It really didn't matter to me at the time though because I was too busy enjoying school and friends to worry about material things. After marriage, I began to feel a little differently though. I was working full time, making enough money to enjoy a cappuccino daily in the morning and a hairstylist in an actual salon. Pretty soon, those things that had once seemed extravagant to me now seemed like necessities and just a part of my every day life. I had denied myself for a while, so it was time to make up for it with plenty of pamper...

About two years ago, I went to a writers' conference in Wheaton Illinois. It was such a blast meeting all kinds of people who also had a passion to share their love for Christ through the written word. I felt a little intimidated by those who had been through this experience before, but I found a friendly face in a young woman named Amber Robinson . A group of us stayed up late, eating chocolate in the student lounge in our dorm housing. We chatted until the morning, just like college kids, listening to each others work, giving friendly critiques and deserving encouragement. When Amber shared her passion for reaching real people with real ways to be more compassionate in a busy world , I knew she was onto something! I'm so excited to give you a little glimpse into her first book, Mercy Rising. Mercy Rising is all about how we can be agents of God's mercy in a needy world, and how to do it NOW, within the limitations you face each day. Amber shares her own challenges w...

Wow! What a terrific read! This book transported me to the boundary waters and created in me a desire to return there in person with my husband while I can (he keeps trying to convince me...). The marital strife that Cynthia Ruchti wove into the plot was also challenging for me. I like to read something that takes me on a journey (or a canoe trip!) and makes me think about important life issues. The main character, Libby, is a perfect example of a Christian living for God on the outside but withering on the inside and her personal struggles were so honest and real, it made my heart break. I loved Cynthia's writing style and I was drawn into the story immediately, hanging on for answers until the very last page. This book was full of depth, character and great suspense. It had me on the edge of my seat, alternating between tears and curiosity the whole time.

Remember the famous stories of Moses freeing the Israelite slaves from Egypt and bringing them across the Red Sea into the desert where they met with God? I’ve been thinking recently how their journey from slavery into the promised land often mirrors our own personal walk with Christ from slavery to sin into the true freedom of the Promised Land (i.e. living in the center of His will, filled with peace and joy, walking by faith, in the Spirit and conquering sin and the flesh ). Are you at a crossroads in your life? Maybe it’s a fork in the road and big life changing decisions you have to make about marriage, jobs, children, moving, etc. Maybe you have just graduated and are starting a new life on your own. As you look at the path in front of you, where does it lead? How can you be sure it will lead you to your promised land, the place of your dreams, the spiritual place of contentment? Here’s a few things I see that the Israelites did wrong that led them to a ...